IPS board honors departing members

Members of the Ionia Public Schools Board of Education recognized members Tim Hemenway and Michael Keast at Monday's meeting.

At their final meeting as board members, the pair expressed their thanks to their fellow members and the district that allowed them to serve. Each received a small token of appreciation.

Hemenway, who has served on the board for 11 years, chose not to run for re-election this fall. Keast has served since the spring of this year and was not re-elected in this year's election.

During business actions, the board approved a motion to comply with seven of eight of the state's "best practices," which will provide $52 per pupil. The chosen practices include the district being a designated policy holder for medical benefits; hosting competitive bids on non-instructional services; accepting applications for enrollment by non-resident applicants; the district using online assessments to report competency and pupil academic growth; the district providing the opportunity for students to receive postsecondary credit while attending secondary school; offering online instructional programs; providing a link to the MiSchoolData Portal on the district Web site and to provide heath and physical education consistent with the policy from the state board.

In other news, the board approved a motion to allow the members of the varsity wrestling team to participate in an overnight trip to Gladwin to participate in a tournament Jan. 12. There is no cost to the district.

In other agenda business, IPS Financial Director Don Wilcox said two bills that may pass in Michigan, including the Repeal of the Personal Property Tax bill and the Cap on the School Bond Loan Fund bill, have the potential to significantly impact school funding. More details will be known in February, as Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to release his budget proposal, Wilcox added.

During public comment, Ionia High School teacher Jeff Marion said he wanted to reiterate the goal of the United Ionia Teachers and also wanted to present information that $20,000 was spent by the district to use a third party negotiator for contract negotiations. He said because the money could go far in the classroom, he hopes the board will speak directly with the teachers' bargaining team.

In addition, Welch High School and IHS teacher Crystal Walcutt said the $20,000 could help her students by purchasing technology used for learning purposes.

In other news, the board members and meeting attendees participated in a moment of silence for the victims of the school shooting that took place Friday at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.